YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris College men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the University of North Georgia on Wednesday (Sept. 10) afternoon in the annual Battle of Blood Mountain at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field. 

QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH DEAN GREY:

"Every game that we play is live and learn. If you are not switched on for the full ninety [minutes], then you can tell you have to win ugly. Sometimes you have to win ugly, but as long as you win!" 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The Mountain Lions struck early, with Bjarne Renner scoring his first goal of the season in the 6th minute, assisted by Thomas Kleinpenning. 

• Just over ten minutes later, Kleinpenning added a goal of his own in the 18th minute, finishing off a pass from Leho Le Louarn to give Young Harris a 2-0 lead heading into halftime. 

• North Georgia responded in the second half with a goal from Isaac Calderon in the 78th minute, but the Mountain Lions held firm defensively to secure the win. 

• Young Harris was outshot 16-8, but made the most of their chances, converting two of their four shots on goal. Kleinpenning and Renner each recorded a goal and a shot on goal, while Amin El Ghazi and Zeke Ortiz also contributed with shots on target off the bench. 

• Goalkeeper James Dee played all 90 minutes and recorded four saves on five shots on goal. 

• The Mountain Lions committed 20 fouls compared to UNG's 17, with Ondrej Kopecký receiving a yellow card in the 52nd minute. 

• Despite the physical nature of the match, Young Harris maintained composure and executed well in key moments, especially in the first half. 

UP NEXT:

Young Harris Men's Soccer will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 13) as they start conference play versus Lees McRae. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.